Regional Gray Matter Volume Changes in Parkinson’s Disease with Orthostatic Hypotension

PD patients with OH had more severe autonomic dysfunction and reduction in volume in the right inferior temporal cortex than those without OH. The right inferior temporal volume was positively correlated with the Qualitative Scoring MMSE Pentagon Test (QSPT) score, reflecting visuospatial/visuoperceptual function, and negatively correlated with the Composite Autonomic Severity Score (CASS). The CASS and QSPT scores were found to be factors independently contributing to regional volume changes in the right inferior temporal cortex. The QSPT score was identified as a mediator in which regional GM volume predicts the CASS. Our findings suggest that a decrease in the visuospatial/visuoperceptual process may be involved in the presentation of autonomic nervous system dysfunction in PD patients. CLICK TO REVIEW